She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 542

The Bennett and Whitmore families had been close allies for generations. Even if a marriage alliance fell through, there was no need to sever ties.

After hearing Callum Bennett's words, Elara's heart leaped into her throat.

Did her father mean... the Bennett family's project had been hijacked by Preston?

Elara nervously stole a glance at Preston.

He sat perfectly still, his chiseled features carved from ice, offering no hint of the thoughts turning behind his dark eyes.

It wasn't just Elara; everyone else at the table had their eyes fixed on Preston.

The private dining room fell into a heavy silence.

After a long moment, Preston picked up his white porcelain teacup.

The pristine gloves he wore were even whiter than the porcelain.

He took a slow sip before finally offering a casual explanation.

"This was my warning to Ms. Bennett."

At the sudden mention of her name, Elara's stomach dropped.

When their eyes met, Preston's predatory gaze looked as though it wanted to tear her apart.

"What do you mean, Mr. Whitmore? What exactly did I do to warrant that kind of warning?"

Elara couldn't hold back her retort.

Sure, Preston was an undisputed business genius and the pillar holding up half the Whitmore family empire, but as the Bennett family's heiress, she wasn't about to let anyone look down on her.

"Preston, honey..."

Marjorie Kent couldn't help but interject.

"Whatever mistake Elara made, aggressively stealing the Bennett family's project is crossing a line, don't you think?"

"She's right, Preston. Can't you kids sort out your private drama behind closed doors? There's no need to drag business into it!"

Both Callum and Chloe suddenly looked extremely uncomfortable.

On one hand, they actually agreed with Elara—Preston was blowing this wildly out of proportion.

A petty lovers' quarrel shouldn't tank a multi-billion-dollar business deal.

But on the other hand...

If Preston was willing to nuke a billion-dollar deal over this, it meant the issue was of paramount importance to him.

Far more important than their families' generational friendship.

Far more important than billions of dollars.

So, Elara downplaying the entire incident in front of both families was doing absolutely nothing to repair the shattered alliance.

"Callum, Chloe..."

Staring into Preston's gaze—a gaze darker than an endless abyss—Callum and Chloe felt an inexplicable, icy dread wash down their spines.